UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Sep 17 — Geolocation footage published on September 16 shows Russian troops shelling Ukrainian positions at the aggregate plant in Vovchansk. This may mean that the Defense Forces have regained lost positions in the plant, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on September 16.

Russia started its new offensive north and northeast in the Kharkiv region in May, but Ukrainian troops have stabilized the frontline in this section since. Now, heavy battles are ongoing in and around Vovchansk (three miles from the border, 46 miles away from Kharkiv) and near Lyptsi (six miles from the border, 12 miles from Kharkiv.)

Also, according to ISW, the Ukrainian Armed Forces may have recently advanced to the northeast of Kharkiv.

“Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces unsuccessfully counterattacked in Vovchansk and near Lypsti and Hlyboke. Ukrainian Kharkiv Group of Forces Spokesperson Colonel Vitalii Sarantsev stated on September 16 that Russian forces continue attacks within Vovchansk but that the tempo of Russian activity in other areas in the Kharkiv direction has marginally decreased,” the ISW reported.

Sarantsev also said that Russian forces are not conducting active offensive operations near Lyptsi, Hlyboke, Lukyantsi, or Starytsya but that Russian forces are still present in these areas and are conducting internal rotations and providing logistical support.

On September 16, the “Kharkiv” group of forces reported that near the aggregate plant in Vovchansk, Kharkiv region, Russian troops attacked their own forces from multiple rocket launchers, causing losses in their units.

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  •  Over the past day, the Russian army conducted logistics in Vovchansk in the Kharkiv direction, evacuated losses, and strengthened assault groups, reported the “Kharkiv” group of forces.